Manchester is one of the major cities in the North of England, a very important hub of the Industrial Revolution. It’s a modern and vibrant city, with a very strong footballing and musical culture that offers plenty for tourists to do. It’s also set in an area of the UK from where it’s easy to reach many worthwhile tourist attractions. Once you’ve picked up your hire car in Manchester, you can take advantage of it by striking out on several day trips. We’ve selected some of the best for you.
1. The Lake District National Park
- Distance from Manchester: 100 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: A little over 2 hours
- Suggested route: Head north on the M6
- Great for: Nature-lovers / Families
This is one of the longer road trips, but you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the beautiful Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lake Windermere is the pick of them all, but you can spend the day happily driving around wherever the whim takes you.
You can park your car and take a boat cruise out on the lake, which is another wonderful way to spend the day. In fact, just being in one of the most picturesque places in England is enough in itself.
SIXT’s top tip: Take a short drive to the village of Hawkshead for lunch, and walk the same streets once trodden by William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
2. Liverpool
- Distance from Manchester: 35 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: Just under 1 hour
- Suggested route: Take the M62 west
- Great for: All tourists
You’ll be so close to the fabled city of Liverpool that it would be a shame not to drive there and see all places made famous by The Beatles. You can visit The Cavern Club, Strawberry Fields, and Penny Lane, and shop for all the memorabilia you could wish for at The Beatles Shop.
Music isn’t the only game in town here. You can explore a large portion of Britain’s maritime history at the many museums, warehouses, and wharfs. Art lovers can visit the Tate Liverpool, and football fans can take a tour of Anfield.
SIXT’s top tip: See Liverpool from a different angle and follow in the footsteps of the famous song by taking a ferry down the Mersey.
3. Little Moreton Hall
- Distance from Manchester: 30 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: Just less than 1 hour
- Suggested route: Take Congleton Road/A34
- Great for: Families / All tourists
Little Moreton Hall is one of the most renowned half-timbered mansions in the UK. It’s a mesmerising building with a distinctive design, dating back to 1508. Since then it’s been regularly and lovingly restored.
Children will love the various events put on at the mansion, like performances by a traditional court jester. You can have lunch at the tearoom on the premises, and buy souvenirs and gifts at the small shop.
SIXT’s top tip: Make your way to the inner courtyard, where you’ll get a great idea of life in 15th-century Cheshire.
4. Altrincham
- Distance from Manchester: 9 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: About 25 minutes
- Suggested route: Get onto the A56
- Great for: English history buffs / All tourists
This is a nice short road trip that will leave you with plenty of time to explore this famous old market town. The market was founded in 1290, so you’ll really be stepping back into history here. Head to the town’s medieval market square for the epicentre.
There’s also Dunham Massey Hall to see. It’s an 18th-century estate featuring a deer park and an old watermill. Stamford Park also has plenty of historical attractions.
SIXT’s top tip: While you’re on the property, visit White Cottage, built around 1500. It’s renowned for its trussed open hall.
5. The Bolton and Bury Loop
- Distance from Manchester: 13 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: About 25 minutes
- Suggested route: Follow St Peter’s Way/A666
- Great for: Families / Beer connoisseurs
You couldn’t ask for a more ideal road trip than to drive to Bolton and link up with Bury. You’ll travel through some of the prettiest countrysides in the North of England. In Bolton, you can walk around the town centre that’s almost 800 years old, and see landmarks like the Bolton Parish Church, built-in 1871.
Bury has a dynamic arts and culture scene. You can visit the local museum and art gallery, and take a walk to Bury Market, which is about 600 years old.
SIXT’s top tip: To see a typical medieval merchant’s house with original Georgian and Stuart furniture, visit Hall i’th’ Wood.
6. Stockport
- Distance from Manchester: 7 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: About 22 minutes
- Suggested route: Drive via the A6
- Great for: Architecture enthusiasts / General tourists
Stockport is to the south-east of Manchester and is most well-known for its architecture. Its most famous structure is its viaduct, built in 1840. There are many historic mansions to visit too, in particular Underbank Hall, a fine example of Tudor architecture.
Stockport Town Hall is another famous landmark, with it’s all cupola shaped like a wedding cake. You can also take a drive to neighbouring Disley, where you can visit Lyme Park, one of the largest Tudor houses in the county.
SIXT’s top tip: If you’re a classical music lover, check the programme of events for classical music concerts by the Stockport Symphony Orchestra.
7. Ashton-under-Lyne
- Distance from Manchester: 7 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: Just over 20 minutes
- Suggested route: Take the A635 eastwards
- Great for: History buffs / All tourists
In Ashton-under-Lyne, you’ll find one of the oldest churches in the English Midlands, St. Michael, and All Angels. It was built way back in 1262 and is in fact only one of over 100 medieval churches in the region.
The town also contains the Museum of the Manchester Regiment, which is also the old Ashton Town Hall. A highlight is the extensive exhibition of military medals. It also showcases the history of the local community since the 18th century.
SIXT’s top tip: Take a quiet walk along the banks of the Tame River alongside the town to explore the regional flora.
8. Macclesfield
- Distance from Manchester: 21 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: About 45 minutes
- Suggested route: Take the A5103 south
- Great for: All tourists
Macclesfield is one of the most important towns near Manchester. It was the centre of the English silk manufacturing industry, and you can learn all about this at the Macclesfield Silk Museum.
Another major attraction here is the Lovell Telescope, which was the largest steerable telescope of its day when it was built in 1957. Alongside you’ll find the Jodrell Bank Science Centre. You can also visit the Nuffield Radio Astronomy Laboratories, containing displays on satellites and many other astronomical topics.
SIXT’s top tip: To get out into nature, visit Hare Hill, an expansive park with a walled garden surrounded by woodlands.
9. Knutsford
- Distance from Manchester: 29 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: About 40 minutes
- Suggested route: Take the M62 onto the M6
- Great for: Foodies / All tourists
Foodies should put Knutsforth first on their lists of day trips from Manchester – it’s renowned for its excellent restaurants. It’s also the site of one of the most popular historic attractions in Northern England, Tatton Park. This is a 1930s working farm, with a mansion, a vast deer park, and a medieval hall.
Then take the short drive to Uppermill, known for its craft shops, museum, and tea rooms. If you time your visit in August you can attend the Rushcart Festival, renowned for its Morris dancers.
SIXT’s top tip: Literature buffs can wander around the town, recognising settings from the Cranford novel by Elizabeth Gaskill.
10. Delamere Forest
- Distance from Manchester: 32 miles
- Travel time from Manchester: About 55 minutes
- Suggested route: Take the M56
- Great for: Nature-lovers / All tourists
In Delamere Forest, you can wander through more than 950 hectares of evergreen woodlands. There are many established trails great for family walking excursions, creating a nature lover’s paradise.
Various activities are on offer here, operated by third-party companies. You can go on a Treetop Adventure, navigating the forest from above by climbing nets and travelling along zip lines. Prepare yourself for a pleasantly active day out.
SIXT’s top tip: Choose a very different way to explore the forest by hiring a Segway. Be careful though – it’s not all smooth going, but it’s great fun.
